An AHL goaltender getting injured typically isn't all that newsworthy. When that goalie is Eddie Lack, and the guys ahead of him are Cory Schneider and Roberto Luongo, it's a little more relevant.

Lack, the Vancouver Canucks' backup-in-waiting for whenever they get around to trading Luongo, will miss six months after hip surgery, according to Brad Ziemer of the Vancouver Sun. That doesn't just end his season—it will likely impact his preparedness for 2013-14.

Lack, 25, is on an NHL-only contract next season. He hadn't played for the Chicago Wolves since Nov. 24, posting a 7-4-1 record, .899 save percentage and 3.00 GAA. Like Backhand Shelf's Justin Bourne noted, the injury likely means that the Canucks would have to get a goalie back in any theoretical Luongo deal.

Whether the Canucks are actually out to trade Luongo this season is debatable. Having two NHL-caliber goalies ready for a compressed, shortened schedule is important, and GM Mike Gillis—leveraging or not—has said that he's not ready to make a move.

In the meantime, the Canucks are 2-2-2 overall. Luongo, who started the season as the backup, has outplayed Schneider. In one less appearance, his save percentage is better (.917 to .897), as is his GAA (2.21 to 3.13).

“Of course (I'd rather start), but I’ve put my ego aside here and I’m trying to work hard and do my best and be ready,” Luongo told the Vancouver newspaper The Province over the weekend. “We all know, and it goes without saying, that both Cory and I want to play. We’re competitors but I’m not going to put myself ahead of the team.”